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7 WAAderful things that happened in 2016

1. Home Sweet Home!

This year, thanks to the kind support of the people of Wales, Wales Air Ambulance built and moved into their first owned home.

WAA’s Dafen airbase was purpose-built to suit the lifesaving crew’s needs, and help to future proof the charity.

2. WAA turned 15!

March 1 2016 marked 15 years since Wales Air Ambulance was launched.

On St David’s day 2001, the charity began and attended their first mission – airlifting an injured rugby player from Glyn-Neath.

The charity first launched as a five-day service, using one Swansea-based aircraft. 15 years later, Wales Air Ambulance has grown, running four helicopters across Wales, operating 365 days a year.

3. Fourth helicopter

The Wales Air Ambulance charity launched a fourth helicopter at the Swansea Air Show.

The EC135 is based in Cardiff and the addition of the new aircraft has made WAA the largest air ambulance operation in the UK.

4. The Royal Welsh Show

Wales Air Ambulance spent another year at the Royal Welsh Show - this year setting up a beautiful wedding boutique, selling kindly donated gowns to help fund helicopter missions across Wales.

5. We helped 360 children in 2016

In 2016 alone, Wales Air Ambulance attended over 360 paediatrics missions, helping children and babies across Wales in their hour of need.

Wales Air Ambulance is the only air ambulance service dedicated to serving people in Wales. An important part of the charity’s job is to run the Children’s Wales Air Ambulance. This is a specialist division of the charity, offering the youngest patients the care they need.

6. 25,000 missions

Last year Wales Air Ambulance reached a landmark, completing 25,000 missions since the charity’s launch in 2001.

The charity has grown since its first mission, now operating with four lifesaving aircraft which can be anywhere within Wales in 20 minutes.

7. Children’s Wales Air Ambulance

On Boxing Day, Wales Air Ambulance launched their first TV ad campaign raising awareness for their paediatric missions.

Wales Air Ambulance is the only air ambulance service dedicated to serving Wales, and the Children’s Wales Air Ambulance is a specialist division of the charity.

The charity is always on stand-by for the children of Wales, helping poorly babies and children and providing the specialist paediatric care they need.

The TV ad shared the story of five-year-old Wil Hughes, who fell 20foot through a shed roof in Gwynedd.